The Avalon Police Department will join with other municipal police departments in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative. The anti-drunk driving campaign begins Friday, August 16th and runs through Monday, September 2nd. The program will include sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols, looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.
The Division of Highway Traffic Safety awarded Avalon a $4,400 grant to participate in the program which was launched in the United States in 1999. “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” combats drunk driving during some of the busiest travel times of the year, including the popular Labor Day Weekend holiday.
“Shore communities like Avalon need to continually send the message that drinking and driving is simply not tolerated and breaks the law”, said Avalon Police Chief William McCormick. “Avalon is proud to participate in this program as another reminder to residents and visitors to not get behind the wheel after consuming alcoholic beverages”.
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” includes high-visibility enforcement and public and education tools, including posters, banners and mobile video display signs. Police departments who participate in the program may also conduct sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols, specifically designed to pull over motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.
In 2012, alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for 19 percent of New Jersey’s motor vehicle fatalities. The Division of Highway Traffic Safety provides grants to local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to run the two-week program.
Here are some tips to avoid being arrested for driving while intoxicated:
- Designated a driver who will not consume alcohol before going out.
- Take advantage of other transportation alternatives including Avalon’s Jitney service or various taxi services
- Spend the night where the activity is held
- Report drunk drivers to law enforcement
